Culture Connects brings Upcycle, Recycle and Reuse Sustainable Summer Fair to Richmond Barracks this weekend

Culture connects is bringing the Upcycle, Recycle and Reuse Sustainable Summer Fair to Richmond Barracks in Inchicore this weekend, promising two fun-filled days featuring upcycled goods from local craftspeople, eco-friendly workshops and locally-made treats to enjoy.

The Upcycle Movement, a company that repurposes materials that otherwise would have gone to landfills into clothing and accessories; Woodn't Waste it Crafts, a self-taught hobby recycler who creates gorgeous crafts from wood and other unconventional materials; AYU Jewel's, a jeweler who creates from upcycled materials; and Stillgarden Distillery, makers of Irish spirits from locally grown botanicals, are just a few of the wonderful vendors that will be visiting the fair this weekend.

If shopping isn't your interest, don't worry — there will be plenty of workshops available for all ages. Eco-Knitting with maker and teacher Helen Crawford will teach little ones the basics of knitting, or if they want to get their hands dirty Bug Buddies with Polly Rowley-Sams will offer a look at how insects can be useful workers in our home gardens. If the kids are more artists than gardeners, Rip, Snip, Create! Collage Making for Kids will allow their creative side to run free.

Hoping to promote environmentally conscious practices such as upcycling, this years Sustainable Summer Fair is giving artisans the chance to conduct valuable market research, and set examples for others hoping to adopt a more green lifestyle. Not only does the practice allow for enterprise through self employment, but upcycling can also increase the quality and longevity of products, as well as provide a unique, conscious creative medium for artists.

“Richmond Barracks is a cornerstone of the community in Inchicore. Our Culture Connects programme offers people living, working or visiting the area, the chance to drop in, experience and enjoy different types of culture," said Iseult Byrne, CEO of Dublin City Council Culture Company.

"The Summer Fair is the perfect reason to visit this fantastic building, take part in some drop in workshops, buy some recycled and upcycled things for home and gifts, and learn a little about all the things you can do at Richmond Barracks when you return to see us again. From tours and talks to history, art and eco themed workshops, our year round programme offers a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a taster of different types of culture, spend time in the gardens and join in with all that is on offer."

The Upcycle, Recycle and Reuse Sustainable Summer fair will be at Richmond Barracks this Saturday, the 28th of May and this Sunday, the 29th, from 11am to 5pm. For more information about the fair, or the other host of activities at the barracks this summer, check out their website, here.